FIFA president Sepp Blatter has branded the Welsh FA’s decision not to allow any of its players to join a British Olympic football team “absurd nonsense”.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has branded the Welsh FA’s decision not to allow any of its players to join a British Olympic football team “absurd nonsense”.

The top man in world football was in Wales to open the FAW’s new training facilities in the Vale of Glamorgan, but did not mince his words when it came to the thorny issue of London 2012.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have banned their players from taking part despite some of the matches in the London Olympics scheduled to held at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

The three Celtic federations fear their involvement in a combined British XI might lead to them losing their independence as individual nations in world football in the future.

Blatter dismissed such fears and said the British federations would never lose their individual status or powers.

When quizzed about the issue of 2012, which will see young Welsh talent such as Aaron Ramsey, Gareth Bale and Wayne Hennessey robbed of the chance of going for Olympic gold, Blatter seemed to think the matter had been dealt with amicably.

He said he had received a letter from the FAW telling him the matter had been resolved to their satisfaction.

But, when informed that the deal forged involved no Welsh involvement, Blatter was shocked.

“That is absurd, but it was not the information I was given,” said Blatter.

“I received a letter from your federation indicating everything had been dealt with to their satisfaction.

“It is the first time I have heard that and I find the idea absurd.

“As a footballer, I would say it is a nonsense to forbid a player to be in a so-called British team. This brings back all the discussion of the Olympics in London.”

Blatter went on to emphasise the importance of football having representation in the Olympic movement.

The Fifa chief also gave his views on the fact that Welsh club sides playing under the control of the FAW in the English leagues have no direct route into European football.

When Cardiff City made the FA Cup final in 2008, special dispensation had to be given by Uefa to ensure the Bluebirds could have played in Europe had they won.

It still remains unclear what would happen if Cardiff or Swansea City were to be promoted to the Premiership and earn European football that way.

Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale recently admitted the club had been invited to join the English FA and were toying with the idea.

But Blatter urged caution on such a decision which would have to be sanctioned by Fifa.

He said there were plenty of examples of clubs from different federations playing in different leagues around the world already.

He said in his view Cardiff and Swansea should be allowed to qualify via English competitions, but any attempt to switch associations might end up rocking the boat.

“This is a British problem. The four British associations have a special agreement with Fifa,” said Blatter.

“If a team plays in a league of another federation that is already foreseen in our regulations.

“We have cases. There is a New Zealand team playing in Australia and there are two Singapore teams playing in Malaysia as well as a Canadian side, soon to be two, playing in the MLS.

“Personally I think if you are the winner of such a competition you should be allowed to participate in the international competition.

“But if a club wants to move from one association to the other that would need the permission of the Fifa executive committee.

“That would be the case if Cardiff City want to play under the English FA.

“But for me the four British associations must try to solve whatever problems they have amongst themselves.

“They should not bring this to the international tribunal because people will again begin to ask why they have such privileges.”

For historic reasons Wales wield major power on the football world stage sitting on the International Board, the body that meets annually to discuss rule changes in the game.

All four home nations currently share that power and Blatter insisted that as far as he was concerned was a situation that would not be changing.

Blatter added: “Wales has developed its football on all levels. Football on all levels around the world has developed, but only because you have associations like Wales.

“As president, I can tell you there will be no change and the privileges afforded in 1946 to the four home British nations shall be maintained.”

Blatter was also quizzed on the transfer ban slapped by Uefa on Chelsea for the manner in which they signed French teenager Gael Kakuta.

Other English clubs are also falling under suspicion for their transfer dealing regarding youngsters from abroad and Blatter said it was a worldwide problem which Fifa would be stamping down on.

“We have now had a case (Chelsea) to analyse. It has been done by a committee with a judge and representatives of many clubs. That has now been settled,” said Blatter.

“There are clubs now who are looking at their books, some have even announced that a certain player has no contract with them and he is an amateur.

“They have done this to try to make sure that the player does not come under the jurisdiction of congress.

“The case we have just decided on is one with a player going from France to England.

“But most of the cases we have on our desk are from Africa to Europe or South America to Europe.

“They are taken at 14 or 15 years old with clubs saying that their parents are going too.

“But they get put into another family, and what happens to them?

“One out of say 20 has a chance to go on in their career. The others are left, and they need to be protected.”

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